Fred Lazarus President, MICA
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“CENTERSTAGE, as one of America’s leading theaters, is a vital cultural resource to Baltimore. With Kwame as its new leader, it will not only build on this strong base, but enhance Baltimore through new partnerships and programs.”
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Dean Alexander (pictured above)
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Charisse Nichols (pictured on cover) Promotions Director, CENTERSTAGE
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“The day it was announced that Kwame Kwei-Armah was going to take the helm of our theater and move from London to Baltimore, we all knew what you didn’t yet: Kwame is someone you simply have to know. His spirit, his thoughtfulness, his humanity…he’s infectious! So, I called my amazing and talented friend, photographer Dean Alexander, and told him the plan I had to introduce Kwame to Baltimore. I then called some powerful friends and asked them if they wanted to be a part of this plan. What Dean created and captured is the true essence of our new Artistic Director. With each photo shoot that Dean graciously donated, there was a collective sigh… ‘Welcome, Kwame!’ (Some of these people would have added x’s and o’s behind that sigh!)”
Jen Marsh Publisher, City Paper “I heart him.”
Vincent Lancisi Managing Director, Everyman Theatre “Kwame is the most important new voice in American theater.”
Rhea Feikin MPT Personality “The last 50 years at CENTERSTAGE were wonderful. The next 50 will be even better with Kwame’s energetic, imaginative leadership.”
Tony Foreman Restaurateur “Kwame clearly has a special energy, spark, and insight that has to be incredibly valuable to CENTERSTAGE and to Baltimore.”
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Bill Stevenson Co-owner, Baltimore Tattoo Museum “Kwame is a welcome addition to a thriving atmosphere of artists and creators in Baltimore. His energy, enthusiasm and generosity will go a long way here. I like him so much, I would get tattooed by him!”
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Kirby Fowler President, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore “Welcome, Kwame! May you continue to solicit my help for promotional material. It’s not like I’m busy.”
Tracy Ward Publisher, Urbanite “Kwame’s vision for Baltimore and CENTERSTAGE inspires Urbanite.”
Stephanie Rawlings-Blake Mayor, Baltimore
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Rebecca Alban Hoffberger Founder/Director, American Visionary Art Museum “What a great grace that someone so intelligent, kind, and imaginative knew in his own heart that Baltimore’s CENTERSTAGE was the perfect next step in his luminous soul expression.”
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Erin Fitzpatrick Artist/Blogger “Kwame’s fun and witty spirit is bringing youth and hipness to Baltimore theater. What a great way to expand the culture in my life. Because of the A-list events, CENTERSTAGE is my spot.”
Gary Vikan Director, The Walter’s Art Museum “Welcome to Baltimore, Change Maker!”
Brian Michael Lawrence Editor-in-Chief, STYLE Magazine
Sascha Wolhandler Owner, Sascha’s 527 “At CENTERSTAGE, Kwame wields an emotional whisk: totally mixes it up—happy, sad, good, evil, erotic, cloistered—it’s all there. He appeals to everyone! Welcome, Kwame!”
“We interviewed Kwame for our Fall Arts special section in the September issue of STYLE magazine, and I could immediately tell what a great new vision he has for CENTERSTAGE, and sensed his genuine appreciation for Baltimore. And, he agreed to let us take him duckpin bowling while we conducted the interview—how cool is that?”
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John Waters Arts Enthusiast “Kwame is the dynamo we need to make the theater seats at CENTERSTAGE quiver in excitement at the thought of new ideas in Baltimore.”
Doreen Bolger Director, Baltimore Museum of Art “We are so fortunate to have Kwame at the helm of CENTERSTAGE, engaging audiences and enhancing the remarkable creative community that distinguishes our city!”
Ed Norris Radio Talk Show Personality “I know you don’t think of me as the ‘artsy’ type but convincing Kwame to come to Baltimore was the biggest coup of recent memory. I’m truly excited and if nothing else his accent makes him sound smarter than the rest of us.”
Marc Steiner Radio Personality
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“When I heard Kwame was coming to town as the Artistic Director of CENTERSTAGE I jumped for joy knowing his spirit will electrify theater in Baltimore. His deep passion and fearless creativity is what we need as CENTERSTAGE turns 50.”
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Jill Turnbull (pictured above) “Every day at these shoots, there was a magnificent Australian accent that would greet us. This lovely sound was the voice of our hair and makeup stylist, Jill Turnbull, who for five days gave of her time and talent to make sure everyone in these photos was camera ready. Visit her shop in Towson, No Worries Salon. She can make you camera ready, too!” Charisse Nichols (pictured on cover) Promotions Director, CENTERSTAGE
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THANK YOU TO OUR MAGAZINE SPONSORS
Kwame Kwei-Armah directs
the
WHIPPI NG ma n
By Matthew Lopez
April 4–May 13, 2012
SUPPORTED BY
The Rodgers Family Fund
www.centerstage.org
State Theater of Maryland
KRAMON & GRAHAM
PA